Rejected

This study is aimed at determining the impact of work-related low back pain (LBP) on functional performance and physical capabilities.

Qingjie Fuzheng granules (QFG) exert an anticancer effect against colorectal cancers (CRC). However, the pharmacological molecular mechanisms are still unclear. This study was aimed to establish a simple method to predict targets of QFG against CRC by the network pharmacology strategy. 461 compounds and 1559 targets in QFG were enriched by BATMAN-TCM. 21 of the common targets were obtained by the groups of "Jun," "Chen," "Zuo," and "Shi" medicine in QFG. The enrichment analyses of GO functional terms, KEGG pathway, and OMIM/TTD diseases displayed the targets in the different and complementary effects of four functional medicines in QFG. Then, 613 differential targets for QFG in CRC were identified. GO functional terms and KEGG pathway analyses showed that QFG regulated the inflammatory function and lipid metabolic process. There were also targets that played a role in the binding to the receptors in membranes, in the activation of the transportation signal, and provided pain relief by regulation of the neural related pathways. Next, the protein-protein interaction network was analyzed, and the levels of the predicted targets in CRC primary tumor were explored, and 7 candidate targets of QFG against CRC were obtained. Furthermore, with real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, downregulation of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and upregulation of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were identified following the treatment of QFG. At last, the survival and prognosis of the potential targets of QFG in CRC patients were analyzed by GenomicScape, and IL-6 was suggested to be an index for the regulation of QFG in CRC. These results might elucidate the possible antitumor mechanism of QFG and highlight the candidate therapeutic targets and the application direction in clinical treatment for QFG.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a clinical syndrome characterised by headache and papilloedema that can lead to significant visual morbidity. There are few studies in the literature about the visual outcome of IIH. We have reviewed the record of 76 patients with IIH according to the modified Dandy criteria. There was a significant improvement in the Humphrey 24-2 mean deviation (MD) in the study eyes (worse affected eye at presentation) in both the medically treated group (+2.0 dB; from -5.60 dB at baseline to -3.60 dB at final follow-up, < .01) and in the fellow eyes in the medically treated group (+1.70 dB, from -4.40 dB at baseline to -2.74 dB at final follow-up, < .01). Higher papilloedema grade (beta -0.66, < .001) and age ( < .02) were inversely correlated with the final visual field MD in the study eye. The visual outcome for the IIH patients in our study was predominantly favourable, but patients with high-grade papilloedema had a worse visual prognosis and required more aggressive treatment.

Avoidance behaviors are shaped by associative learning processes in response to fear of impending threats, particularly physical harm. As part of a defensive repertoire, avoidance is highly adaptive in case of acute danger, serving a potent protective function. However, persistent or excessive fear and maladaptive avoidance are considered key factors in the etiology and pathophysiology of anxiety- and stress-related psychosomatic disorders. In these overlapping conditions, avoidance can increase the risk of mental comorbidities and interfere with the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment approaches built on fear extinction. Despite resurging interest in avoidance research also in the context of psychosomatic medicine, especially in conditions associated with pain, disturbed interoception, and disorders of the gut-brain axis, current study designs and their translation into the clinical context face significant challenges limiting both, the investigation of mechanisms involved in avoidance and the development of novel targeted treatment options. We herein selectively review the conceptual framework of learning and memory processes, emphasizing how classical and operant conditioning, fear extinction, and return of fear shape avoidance behaviors. We further discuss pathological avoidance and safety behaviors as hallmark features in psychosomatic diseases, with a focus on anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Aiming to emphasize chances of improved translational knowledge across clinical conditions, we further point out limitations in current experimental avoidance research. Based on these considerations, we propose means to improve existing avoidance paradigms to broaden our understanding of underlying mechanisms, moderators and mediators of avoidance, and to inspire tailored treatments for patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders.

During recent years, the detection of osteoarticular infections has increased, thanks to improvement and wide availability of diagnostic tools. Despite that, surgeons and patients still have to deal with long-term sequelae, including osteoarthritis, chronic osteomyelitis, and premature physeal arrest. Subsequent joint reconstruction is the most difficult challenge when the hip or knee has been affected. Most surgical procedures described to manage these devastating consequences are only palliative, with the goal focused on improving stability and pain control, but seldom ending with a highly functional joint. Premature physeal arrest has an unpredictable course after an osteoarticular infection. The prognosis depends on the age of the child, the type of injury (partial or total bony bar), the proportion of the physeal surface affected, and the bone compromised. Peripheral injuries lead to angular limb deformities, whereas central bars lead to limb-length discrepancies. Surgical treatment should be oriented to preserve physeal function and allow normal growth to resume. In those cases where preserving physeal function is not possible, the orthopaedic surgeon must deal with the sequelae of limb-length discrepancies and/or bone deformities.

Upper limb ischemia in patients with chronic kidney disease treated by haemodialysis is a known complication, but fortunately its progression into gangrene is not frequent. Ischemia occurs in 3.7-5% of dialysis patients, in dependence on the type of vascular access. The main cause behind the risk of digital upper limb ischemia in dialysis patients is the presence of an arteriovenous fistula. The higher the location of arteriovenous fistula, the higher the risk of onset of ischemia. In case of brachiocephalic and brachiobasilic fistulas, the risk for developing symptomatic ischemia is faced by 10-25% of patients, in case of radiocephalic fistula only by 1-1.8% of patients. In making the diagnosis we rely on the history of symptoms and physical examinations of both upper limbs. The patient may describe subjective symptoms as pain, having cold fingers, cramps during and outside dialysis, altered sensation and impaired finger movement. The therapy includes radiological intervention, removal of high-flow arteriovenous fistula, its closure, and amputation. The treatment aims to provide the patients with maximum possible multidisciplinary care and to prevent amputation. In this respect the orthopaedic examination is critical for further diagnosis and therapy of the patient at risk of upper limb impairment or for upper limb salvage.

Cervical vertigo is a common complication of atlantoaxial joint dislocation. However, there is no consensus on the effects of different therapies on the recovery of the patients suffering cervical vertigo. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of traction therapy on reducing cervical vertigo induced by atlantoaxial joint dislocation. A total of 96 patients were randomized to receive traction therapy or traditional therapy for two weeks. The overall clinical efficacy was measured based on the 30-point cervical vertigo symptom and function evaluation form. The therapeutic effects were also evaluated based on lateral atlantodental space (LADS), vertigo scale, neck and shoulder pain scale, headache scale, daily life and work scale, psychosocial adaptation scale, and quality of life. Compared with the traditional therapy group, the traction group demonstrated markedly higher overall clinical efficacy (P=0.038). Both the traction therapy group and the traditional therapy group showed significant decrease in LADS (P<0.001), but the traction therapy group had a greater reduction of LAD compared with the traditional group (P<0.01). Traction therapy consistently led to significantly greater relief of cervical vertigo symptoms, including dizziness, neck and shoulder pain, headache, inconvenience in daily living and work activities, impaired psychosocial adaptation, while improving quality of life. The efficacy of traction therapy for cervical vertigo surpasses that of traditional therapy, suggesting that traction therapy is potentially more clinically useful in treating these patients.

Symptomatic isolated costovertebral joint (CVJ) osteoarthritis is rare, and establishing this diagnosis is often difficult. There are few reports in the literature about how to surgically manage these lesions. Our aim was to describe a case of isolated osteoarthritis of the costotransverse joint (CTJ) successfully treated with a resection arthroplasty.

Managing postoperative pain even after laparoscopic groin hernia repair still remains an interesting challenge for clinicians especially for patients of high risk. Plenty of operative techniques and analgesic methods have been proposed in order to minimize postoperative pain after laparoscopic groin hernia repair. The aim of the present study is to compare transverse abdominis plane (TAP)-block with local analgesic infiltration at trocar entry sites in the terms of reducing postoperative pain.